Fix TV remote control buttons

Certain buttons on a TV remote can get worn out over time. In my case it was the channel up and channel down buttons. The contacts on the bottom of the button are likely worn out. This is how I fixed mine.

Step 1 Snip a small piece of wire from a copper wire

In the photo, the small speck in between the spool of wire and the wire cutters is the piece of wire snipped off for use.

Comments

[Oimi]

Firstly, thank you for posting this solution, I almost followed this instructable.

That is, until I realised that introducing a metal on metal concept to a remote control is not the best option, due to the added wear that this will cause on the circuit board, thus permanently rendering the remote control useless.

The solution using copper conductive paint sounds like the best to me!

A question for the suggestion about using lead from a pencil, do you actually still have lead pencils, because the last time I checked, it was only possible to purchase graphite based pencils?

[hjc4604]

Graphite is carbon and it is electrically conductive like a resistor. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphite

[johnyfive]

Thanks all! I never new it was the contacts. My stereo remote is now fixed after 5 years of misery! Though i took your ideas and simplified it. I just used a pencil
(2b in my case, was all i had) and pencilled over the contacts and the buttons and hey presto, good as new. I too signed up just to say thanks. Though this site does look great!

[Mr_P]

I used aluminum foil instead of copper wire. It's allready flat and readily available in most households. After the glue dries, just trim it with a razor blade.

[islander_circe]

I used aluminium foil too; simply applied some double stick tape to it, used a small office hole punch to create small circles & stuck them on the back of the buttons. A remote that hasnt worked properly for at least 5 years is now functioning perfectly.

[FalconV]

I second this. I'm currently trying Aluminum Foil Tape (the stuff used for duct work, NOT "duct tape"). It works well, I don't know how long it'll stick though, that's what I'm waiting to find out. It's a lot easier and doesn't involve glue, so if it works then great! otherwise, if it falls off in a few weeks I'll be gluing it back on.

[charge11595]

 I had never thought about using metal to replace the contacts.
The entire button on a remote was torn off, so I replaced it with a calculator button, unaware that metal would suffice XD I am making an instructable on that.
btw, nice photos.

[srm555]

Another way to repair a worn out button. Go to the auto supply house and buy the copper conductive paint they use to repair broken heater wires in the rear windows of cars. Just paint onto each of the buttons and let dry.

[yztay]

i use an old remote cut off a good piece and glue it on the damaged area the problem is cutting the piece thin enough so it will fit but u can cut a piece off the damaged remote to so it will fit better

[jimbir]

I,ve been repairing remote buttons as follows: Wash the buttons with a dishwashing detergent and dry Thoroughly. Grind a small amount of dust (a little pile about 3/16" in diameter)from the lead of a soft pencil. Mix it with Isopropyl alcohol till you get a paint of watery Consistency. Apply a SMALL speck of this to the buttons with a toothpick. let the specks dry for 15 minutes. Next, place a Q-tip, end down, on each speck and twist it between your fingers to spread the specks into a thin film completely covering each button. Reassemble the remote and click away.

[Dragon Maze]

I was not going to sign up for this site, as I just thought it had neat ideas. Your post fixed my Tvisto Remote, our digital media box, which has been stressing us out for months. Nothing online actually showed how to FIX the buttons, just how to clean them. We can't even get a replacement remote for our model very cheaply. But for a few cents of copper and literally 5 minutes YOU fixed it for us! I just had to join simply to thank you immensely!

[mmelville3]

Awesome. Glad I could help.

[alex-sharetskiy]

yay!

[rimar2000]

Good idea. I was made this with aluminum foil. The problem for me is the adhesive to use: the silicon (seems rubber) board is difficult to stick.

[Phil B]

This is a good and clever idea. Thin brass sheet is also available at hobby stores. It would work, too. One possible problem I have experienced with things like this is called bounce. That means the button makes contact more than once by accident and it is as if you pressed the button twice. The original carbon coating on the rubber button avoids bounce problems better. But, what you have done is preferrable to replacing the remote.